ROC President Ma Ying-jeou conveyed his condolences to victims of the White Terror era at a memorial in Taipei City July 15, vowing to continue promoting human rights and judicial reform.
During the 1950s, political injustice and improper trials took place in Taiwan, Ma said. “As ROC president, I offer my sincere apologies to families of the victims on behalf of the government.
“We must put ourselves in the shoes of the families, uncover the truth and prevent similar incidents from happening again so as to heal the wounds of history.”
Since martial law was lifted, Ma said, the government has admitted and reflected on the wrongdoings, offered apologies and compensation, as well as helped rehabilitate reputations.
“As of the end of June, the Improper Martial Law Period Insurgency and Espionage Convictions Compensation Foundation paid in excess of NT$19.5 billion (US$650 million) in compensation to 20,104 victims, while the Memorial Foundation of 228 paid NT$7.2 billion to more than 9,600 victims.”
A total of 4,052 reputation rehabilitation certificates have been issued, and letters written by political victims have been returned to 51 family members, according to the president.
In addition, Ma said the Jing-mei and Green Island Human Rights Memorial parks have attracted 660,000 visitors since their respective launches in June 2009 and December 2011 to the end of June. Both facilities come under the Preparatory Office of the National Human Rights Museum.
“Relevant historical documents should be permanently preserved and included in textbooks to demonstrate the government’s sincere reflections and advancements,” he said.
Separately, Ma said that since taking office in May 2008, he has resumed institutionalized cross-strait negotiations after a 10-year hiatus with Taiwan and mainland China inking 19 agreements to date.
“Cross-strait relations are at their most peaceful and stable level in 64 years,” he said. “We are now deepening and expanding exchanges between the people of both sides through establishing reciprocal cross-strait representative offices and amending the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area.” (KML-JSM)
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